Chapter 5
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Chapter 5
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Nine years after that resolve, spring of the year 1644 in the Divine Calendar.
Echinacea walked through the ruins of a shattered temple—the Grand Temple that had once stood in the fallen city of Agenka.
Agenka, the holy ground of knights, had become an ominous land where no one dwelled anymore. Little remained. Yet there was one thing left in the temple's ruins that human hands could never move.
The Divine Sword Kairos Giosea—a blade said to have been forged by a god who tempered time itself into steel.
Unlike the other Divine Sword of space, which drifted through dimensions and vanished, the Divine Sword of time had always rested in this land, even before the Giosea legend became widely known. This was why the Changtian Knights had established their foothold here, and why the city of Agenka came to exist, belonging to no nation.
Kairos Giosea was embedded in the center of the ruins. A sleek, delicate blade that shimmered with ever-changing light. The sculptures and altar that once adorned its surroundings lay shattered, yet even without them, the Divine Sword radiated mystery. It was proof itself that gods existed—beings that could not be seen, heard, or touched.
No human could grasp that blade. No matter how far one reached, their hand would not touch it, as though blocked by an invisible wall. Yet I had to seize the Divine Sword.
I wore tattered leather clothes over hair cut short. The marks of long wandering covered my entire body. My outstretched hand toward the Divine Sword was covered in wounds. At best, I looked like a mercenary; at worst, a vagrant. Yet the Divine Sword accepted my hand.
Nothing extraordinary occurred. The blade that no one could grasp simply allowed itself to be held in my hand. In that moment, a voice echoed in my mind—genderless, like that of a magical sword.
[Qualified human, what do you desire?]
"...Kairos Giosea."
I licked my parched lips several times, then spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Take me back to a past where I had not killed anyone."
The Divine Sword fell silent for a moment, then asked slowly.
[Why do you wish to return to the past?]
"Because I want to save them."
[Whom?]
"...The people I killed."
[You killed them with your own hands, and now you wish to bring them back to life?]
"I didn't want to kill them...!"
My hand trembled violently as I gripped the blade. A few drops of blood fell from between my clenched teeth. The Divine Sword read the years I had endured. And it understood.
[I see. Then what comes next?]
"Next...?"
[If time is reversed, all those you killed will live again. In a world where they are alive, what will you do? What will you use this time you have regained for?]
Words failed me. For the first time, I—thirty-five-year-old Echinacea, who had rushed forward with only the single goal of saving everyone—thought about what would come after.
What did I truly want? Why did I want to save them? Why did I want to change the past?
I murmured blankly.
"...I'll just... live."
[Simply live? Is that all? You are alive even now.]
"Living like this is no different from being dead."
[Why?]
"Because I... can never be happy as I am now. I cannot even sleep peacefully...."
The words spilled out before I could think. Only after speaking did I understand.
I wanted to be happy. Even if I didn't know exactly what happiness I desired, it was impossible to be happy now—after killing everyone I loved with my own hands.
So I had to change it. For that, I had desperately gathered Giosea. For the past nine years, I had never truly slept. I couldn't remember when I last smiled.
The Divine Sword was finally satisfied with my answer. The blade emitted a gentle light.
[Very well. I shall lend you my power, qualified human.]
A dizzying, vertiginous sensation flooded through my entire being. Everything grew dim. The Divine Sword spoke one final time.
[There will be no second miracle. So do your best to find happiness.]
The sword moved.
Echinacea Loaz succeeded in turning back time. To fifteen years ago, when she was still an ordinary count's daughter.
Act 1. What Changed and What Remained
A soft, plush sensation enveloped me. As I unconsciously rubbed my cheek against it, I suddenly jolted awake. In one fluid motion, I rose from the bed, extended my right arm, lowered my center of gravity, and adopted a stance ready to respond to anything.
Whisper.
My long hair, which had risen with my swift movement, settled down belatedly. I stared at it blankly. Silken strands of pale pink, gently undulating. Though disheveled from sleep, they bore the unmistakable mark of meticulous, costly care.
"Ah...."
Without thinking, I grasped the strands tightly.
Maintaining long hair was troublesome. After reclaiming my body from the Demon Blade, I had kept my hair short ever since. Hair this long, and not even dyed black.
The hand holding the pale-colored strands was unblemished and white, impossibly soft. My nails were neatly trimmed.
I looked down at my body. Wrapped in silk pajamas, it was slender and supple. I stepped out of bed onto the floor. My bare white feet bore not a single callus.
Beneath the bed lay pink slippers trimmed with lace—objects that lingered faintly in my memory. I slipped them on and lifted my gaze. I studied the gossamer canopy draped above the bed, then pushed it aside and stepped away from the bed.
"My... room...."
The familiar, delicately decorated space of my room. With unsteady steps, I approached the window. Wind flowing through the slightly open pane set the white curtains dancing. I pushed them aside and looked out.
Spring. The garden sprawled before me, adorned with verdant shoots and budding flowers. A gardener crouched before the shrubs, pruning branches. Beyond the garden, at some distance, lay the Training Grounds. A boy with auburn hair ran drills there under the instruction of the Knight Instructor.
"Lancel... Rid."
I murmured my younger brother's name. He was three years my junior.
"Sister, why on earth...."
That boy, who had breathed his last drenched in blood—it was one of my vivid nightmares. My eyes trembled wildly.
I opened the window and leaped from my second-floor room. My mind scattered like the dancing curtains, blank and white. Without conscious effort, mana moved of its own accord. My body had yet to form a core, and I had accumulated no mana reserves, but such things hardly mattered.
I landed like a cat. My eyes fixed on the Training Grounds. As I began to run, my slippers slipped from my feet and tumbled away. I paid no mind. Like flying barefoot, I dashed and burst into the Training Grounds.
"Miss?"
I rushed past the startled Knight Instructor and threw my arms around Lancel. His violet eyes—so like mine—widened in shock.
"Wh-what?"
The boy couldn't withstand my charge and fell backward. I embraced my brother's neck and pressed my ear to his chest. Thump-thump—his heart was beating. I was transfixed.
"Sister...?"
"Lancel Rid Loaz. You're alive."
"What are you saying this early? And how could you even be awake at this hour?"
A flustered Lancel tried to push me away, then froze. My pajamas left nothing to the imagination—my curves were fully exposed, as were my bare legs and slender shoulders. I was utterly indecent. Lancel let out a yelp and tore off his shirt.
"What is this outfit?! Are you insane?"
"I...."
"I know you hate the smell of sweat. Just bear with it for now. Why did you come all the way here like this at this hour?"
Lancel unceremoniously threw his shirt over me. The Knight Instructor, unable to look directly at me, averted his gaze and cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Young master, perhaps the young lady should...."
"Right, I should take my sister back to the manor. Can we end training here for today?"
"We can make up for it next time. Thank you for your efforts."
"You worked hard too. Sister, come on, get up. ...Why are your feet bare?"
As Lancel helped me up, he muttered as if exasperated.
"Did you have a nightmare? You look like you just woke up."
"A nightmare...."
Focus returned to Echinacea's eyes as she released her blank stare, still gripping Lancel. She suddenly pulled him toward her with surprising force.
Ordinarily, her strength was as delicate as befitted a noblewoman of gentle upbringing. Yet for some reason, Lancel nearly stumbled from the pull of her grip. He barely managed to plant his feet and steady himself, but before he could speak, she seized his shoulders and looked directly into his eyes.
Echinacea's eyes shone with unprecedented clarity. An uncanny intensity. Lancel forgot what he had been about to say.
"Lancel."
"...Yes, Sister?"
"What is today's date?"
"Pardon?"
"The year, month, and day."
"...It's March 17th, 1629. Sister, what's wrong? Is something the matter?"
"1629...."
Echinacea released Lancel. Her expression twisted into something between laughter and tears.
"I succeeded. I actually succeeded...."
Her legs gave way beneath her, and she collapsed onto the dirt floor of the Training Grounds without grace. She reached up to wipe her face with trembling hands, but froze the moment her right palm came into view. Against her pale skin, there was a dark mark that seemed wholly out of place.
She knew exactly what that mark was. Her teeth ground together involuntarily. The grinding sound and the fierce killing intent that surged forth drained all color from Lancel's face.
"S-Sister? You seem strange right now. Are you hurt somewhere?"
"You appear to be unwell, Miss. Please allow me to——Ugh!"
The Knight Instructor approached to lift her, but was shoved back. Echinacea reflexively struck him away, then opened and closed her mouth several times before shaking her head frantically.
"Lancel, I'm sorry, I'm fine!"
"Sister!"
Echinacea spoke in a rush and suddenly sprang to her feet, vanishing like the wind. Her movement was so swift that neither Lancel nor the Knight Instructor could follow her form. They stood bewildered, staring down at Lancel's shirt that she had left behind.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org